Retail Merchandising
As a retail merchandising major, you learn the business and creative processes behind the fashion industry.
Preparing You For Success
You begin to explore the industry your freshman year. Courses teach you about apparel analysis, product development, consumer behavior, merchandising, textiles and other industry topics. Learning continues outside class through internships, community-focused projects and campus organizations.
By the time you graduate, your experiences include:
- A minor in marketing or management and leadership
- Research opportunities with faculty
- Professional internships across the globe
- An optional study abroad semester in Europe
- Networking and professional development in student organization Fashion Focus and honor society Kappa Omicron Nu
Making Your Mark
Retail merchandising graduates are in demand as designers, brand experts, business analysts and product buyers. Recent graduates are working for Nike's corporate headquarters, Disney resorts, Best Buy and Von Maur.
Major Requirements
Family and Consumer Sciences Core - 12-15 hrs.
- FCS 100: Family Dynamics - 3 hrs.
- FCS 220: Consumer Issues in Health Care - 3 hrs.
or FCS 300: Consumer Issues in America - 3 hrs. - FCS 310 and 311: Community Program Planning and Evaluation - 6 hrs.
or FCS 346: Resource Management - 3 hrs. - FCS 442: Foundations of FCS - 3 hrs.
Additional Required FCS Courses - 31 hrs.
- FCS 131: The Fashion Industry - 3 hrs.
- FCS 133: Apparel Production - 3 hrs.
- FCS 233: Consumer Textiles - 3 hrs.
- FCS 235: Apparel Product Development and Analysis - 3 hrs.
- FCS 330: Fashion Merchandising - 3 hrs.
- FCS 331: Merchandising Lab - 1 hr.
- FCS 333: Advanced Textiles - 3 hrs.
- FCS 334: Visual Merchandising and Promotions - 3 hrs.
- FCS 336: History of Fashion - 3 hrs.
- FCS 337: Clothing and Human Behavior - 3 hrs.
- FCS 438: Global Issues of Textile and Apparel - 3 hrs.
Required Supporting Courses - 6 hrs.
- ART 227: Basic Graphic Design - 3 hrs.
- MTG 381: Integrated Marketing Communications - 3 hrs.
or COM 220: Advertising as Communication - 3 hrs.
Required Minor (choose one) - 15 hrs.
Course Sequence
Freshman - Fall Semester (17 hours)
- FCS 131 Fashion Industry — 3
- FCS 100 Family Dynamics — 3
- Core Courses — 10
- EHS 120 University Experience — 1
Freshman - Spring Semester (15 hours)
- FCS 133 Apparel Production — 3
- Core Courses — 12
Sophomore - Fall Semester (16 hours)
- FCS 233 Consumer Textiles — 3
- Art 227 Basic Graphic Design — 3
- PSY 104 Social Forces — 3
- Core Course — 3
- Elective — 3
Sophomore - Spring Semester (16 hours)
- FCS 346 FCS Resource Management — 3
- FCS 333 Advanced Textiles — 3
- Core Courses — 6
- Electives — 4
Junior - Fall Semester (16 hours)
- FCS 330/331 Fashion Merchandising — 4
- FCS 235 Apparel Product Devel. — 3
- Core Courses — 6
- Elective — 3
Junior - Spring Semester (15 hours)
- FCS 300 Consumer Issues in America — 3
- FCS 336 History of Fashion — 3
- FCS 341 Hum. Devel. Through Lifespan — 3
or FCS 342 Child Development — 3
or FCS 440 Family Rel. — 3 - Elective — 3
- Core Course — 3
Senior - Fall Semester (15 hours)
- FCS 438 Global Issues in Textile, Apparel — 3
- FCS Elective — 3
- MTG 381 Integrated Mktg. Comm. — 3
- FCS 357 Housing and Interior Design — 3
- Elective — 3
Senior - Spring Semester (15 hours)
- FCS 334 Visual Merchandising — 3
- FCS 442 Foundations of FCS — 3
- FCS 460 Retail Merch. Practicum — 3
- FCS Electives — 3
- Electives — 3
Course sequence information is provided for sample purposes only. Students should consult with their academic advisor about their individual plan for course registration and completion of program requirements.